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36 DIGS.NET
|
2.9.2018
SMALL BATCH
12222 VENICE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90066
424.289.9552
SMALLBATCHICECREAMERY.COM
PHOTOGR
APHS:
COURTESY
OF
RYAN
TANAK
A
W R I T T E N BY W E N DY B OW M A N
NOSTALGIA
with a TWIST
Popular restaurateurs bring unique frozen
novelties to a new L.A. locale
W
hen Top Chef season 14 winner
Brooke Williamson and her husband
and partner Nick Roberts opened
the four-in-one beachside restaurant complex
Playa Provisions in Playa del Rey in 2014, the
restaurateurs/chefs envisioned a day when each
of the establishment's concepts would emerge
independent. Fast-forward to today, and the
culinary couple has opened its second Small Batch
artisanal ice cream shop in Mar Vista, complete
with plen of unusual, seasonally-driven ice cream
and frozen treats for children and adults alike.
"e nostalgia of what we do and how we do it
is very well-represented at Playa Provisions, and
much appreciated by the locals there, so we felt
like Small Batch could definitely stand on its own,"
says Williamson, whose husband-and-wife Company for Dinner
Hospitali Group also is known for other local concepts such as
Hudson House in Redondo Beach, e Tripel and Tripli-Kit in Playa
del Rey, and Da Kikokiko in Playa Vista. "e reason we brought
Small Batch to Mar Vista is we thought it was a concept lacking in
an up-and-coming beach communi…there was nowhere to get a
proper scoop of ice cream."
Taking up residence in the former Sweet Lucie's ice cream shop on
Venice Boulevard, Small Batch features a family-friendly, communi-
driven atmosphere. ink fun music; soaring ceilings; a light-gray
wraparound counter; vintage, seafoam-green light fixtures; and a
colorful custom mural of a boy eating ice cream in a park by local
artist Bumble Bee Loves You running the length of an entire wall.
Outdoor seating is found via picnic tables on the patio.
As for the star of the show, Williamson and Roberts
brainstormed with Playa Provisions pastry chef
Lindsay Kirk to come up with the shop's unusual ice
cream flavors and treats. Among the highlights: house-
made flavors such as Birthday Cake, Banana Cream
Pie, Vegan Chocolate Coconut, Fresh Sweet Corn,
Lemon with Strawberry Pop Rocks and "Cereal" Killer
(a frozen take on Lucky Charms), plus frozen novelties
like Mint Oreo Ice Cream Pie, White Chocolate ai
Tea Pops, Fresh Raspberry Popsicles and Chocolate
Dipped Bananas with sprinkles. Custom sundaes,
milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, slices of birthday
cake, cookie dough scoops and rotating so-serve
flavors also are available.
Looking for the ultimate indulgence? Try the
Unicorn Sundae boasting 10 scoops of ice cream,
various toppings, whipped cream, hot fudge and a
cherry topped with a "uni-cone" (chocolate dipped
waffle cone) and sparkler.
"We're a really approachable, family-friendly spot
where my son enjoys going to aer school every
day," says Williamson. "We're excited to have the
neighborhood support us, and we're excited everybody
seems really happy that we're there. We hope we can
continue to keep people happy and stay for a while."
C I T Y